micro:bit in Wonderland
micro:bit in Wonderland
Coding & Craft with the BBC micro:bit
About the Book
Are you ready for an adventure with the BBC micro:bit in Wonderland?
“Why,” said the Dodo, “the best way to explain it is to do it.” Come down the rabbit hole and modernise the White Rabbit’s pocket watch, program the Lobster Quadrille dance, create an anger monitor for the Queen of Hearts and lots more!
Create 12 interactive projects, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, and learn how to program the BBC micro:bit mini computer using block-based coding. Gradually build modern skills as you learn about wearables, electronic games, e-textiles, electronics circuits, digital music, animation and much more.
The hands-on projects use simple, inexpensive electronics and everyday household and craft materials. The book provides a playful introduction for families new to coding, electronics and the BBC micro:bit. As you make each project you will develop important creative and computational thinking skills to enable you to imagine, design and create your own projects.
The projects are suitable for beginners aged 9 and over (including teens and adults). Younger children will require adult assistance, whereas older learners can work more independently using the easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions with colour illustrations and photographs. Additional instructions, templates and bonus content are available on the accompanying website alice.techagekids.com to make things easy for parents and teachers.
About the Editor
About the Contributors
Author
Tracy first learnt to code on her Sinclair ZX Spectrum at the age of 10, this put her on the path to study Maths and Computing at the University of Bath where she won the Computing prize in her final year. Tracy Gardner has a Computer Science PhD which won a BCS Distinguished Dissertations award. She has worked as a software engineer and software architect, including working for 10 years at IBM.
Now Tracy has two children and focuses on introducing technology to the next generation. She is a director of Tech Age Kids. She also develops educational content for the Raspberry Pi Foundation. Tracy has taught Computing to Key Stage 2 children (aged 7-11) and volunteered at a Code Club and CoderDojo.
Author
Elbrie de Kock has an Interior Design degree and has worked in a number of different industries in design and marketing.
Elbrie has three children. Her eldest son’s passion for computer programming inspired her to find opportunities for kids to learn to code. She uses her creative background and newly developed technology skills to create projects that combine craft, coding and electronics.
Elbrie is a director of Tech Age Kids and develops events, workshops and content about creative technology. She volunteers at a Code Club, found the local CoderDojo and recently taught Computing in Primary Education.
Reader Testimonials
Sean McManus
Author of Cool Scratch Projects in Easy Steps
The Alice theme works well, and the integration of crafting is a great way to elevate even the simplest projects into something quite special.
Prof. Adrian Oldknow
Founder of the Cambridge Centre for Innovation in Technological Education
Lewis Carroll, aka Charles Dodgson, was an inventive genius who has caught the imagination of generations of children all over the world in his Alice’s Adventures books. In their ‘micro:bit in Wonderland’ book, Tracy Gardner and Elbrie de Kock draw on that tradition and bring it graphically into the digital era. They skillfully appeal to young learners’ imaginations and creativity, while giving them the digital tools they need to take control.
Gareth James
Chief of Education and Strategy at Micro:bit Education Foundation
When we were presented with the draft of this book it was a delight to explore. It is coherent, concise and comprehensive. It takes the readers on a learning journey but in a way that is full of fun activities, set in the context of a timeless story that is known and loved around the world.
Sian January
Software engineer and mother of two
When I first heard about the micro:bit I was fairly underwhelmed and wondered how much you could really do with 25 red LEDs and a few inputs. How wrong I was! I absolutely love the creativity of this book. Tracy and Elbrie have brought together a unique combination of skills to develop these incredible projects that most of us couldn't even dream of. I would have loved a book like this at the age of 10 or 11 (or even older!).
Anne Wan
Teacher, children’s book author and mother of three
As a Mum with a limited computer background, I often feel left behind by my children's computer knowledge. This book provides a brilliant way of engaging with my child to be creative and learn new coding skills together. Using the story of Alice in Wonderland as the context, along with the clear instructions, makes the projects easy to follow and enjoyable to make. If I can do this, anyone can!
Jane Moody
Drift Educational IT Services
Tech Age Kids have created an engaging, inspiring and visually beautiful activity book that is an absolute asset for classrooms and families alike. Teaching and playing with children in ways that incorporate technology and develop their coding skills will bring them a lot of fun now and better prepare them for the world of tomorrow.
Bethany
Child (aged 11)
I really enjoyed the activities - my favourite was the croquet.
Table of Contents
About the authors
About Tech Age Kids
Foreword by Micro:bit Education Foundation
Acknowledgements
GUIDE TO THIS BOOK
- Who is this book for?
- What will you learn?
- What you will need
- Notes for adults
- How to use this book
THE MICRO:BIT
- Programming the micro:bit
PROJECTS
Project 1: Late!
Project 2: Drink Me, Eat Me
Project 3: The Caucus Race
Project 4: Light Up Caterpillar
Project 5: The Cook and The Pepper Box
Project 6: The Cheshire Cat
Project 7: Twinkle Twinkle Little Bat
Project 8: Painting the Roses
Project 9: Pushing the Queen's Buttons
Project 10: The Croquet Match
Project 11: The Lobster Quadrille
Project 12: The Trial
ADDITIONAL PROJECTS
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